Oakland Circuit Judge Rudy Nichols sentenced Jonathan Hickerson, 19, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. After a brief recess, Donald James, 18, received a 40 to 60 year sentence, with an additional two years for a felony firearms conviction.

Both received credit for 629 days already served in Oakland County Jail.

Juries convicted both men of felony murder, which is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. However, a 2012 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court declared such sentences cruel and unusual punishment for those younger than 18. Juvenile offenders can still be sentenced to life in prison without parole, but the judge presiding over the case must consider many factors before issuing the sentence.

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James was also convicted of four other charges, but the sentences for those will run concurrent to the above-listed sentences.

The difference seemed to be based on each defendant’s chances of rehabilitation. A pre-sentencing report seemed to cast doubt on Hickerson’s chances at being rehabilitated, citing numerous factors. But the report for James was a bit more positive, and Nichols noted that James had two supportive parents, while Hickerson had little parental support.

After James received his sentence, Contreras’ wife, Megan, was sobbing. “It’s not fair! I can’t get him back!” she said.

Earlier, Megan Contreras made a statement to Nichols.

“He was the greatest friend a person could have,” she said about her late husband.

“We loved each other harder than anyone could ever love someone.”

Adrian Contreras, 27, worked two jobs and was a full-time college student.

“He had so many hopes and dreams for himself and he would have made them all true,” Megan Contreras said.

“He was the most determined man and he never gave up.”

She asked for life sentences for both men.

“They took the person that I was supposed to grow old with and make a lifetime of memories with,” she said.

“All they care about was that they were going to get high and make a dollar. Jonathan Hickerson and Donald James are heartless human beings.”

Adrian Contreras’ father, Gilberto Contreras, said he loves and forgives both defendants.

“I ask (the defendants) to turn from the path of evil and return to the path of love and good,” he said.

“I ask you both to ask the man on the cross to forgive you of your sins. It’s too late now to make your lives better, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your soul. I pray for you because I love you.”

Both defendants, who earlier had been staring at the ground, looked up during Gilberto Contreras’ statement.

Gilberto Contreras said his son was “a good kid” who will be missed.

“He was busy trying to make something of his life,” he said.

“He was busting his butt. We will see him again in heaven. We’ll be together, this time forever.”

Adrian’s brother, Brian Contreras, was the first family member to speak.

“I watched through the trial hoping to see remorse for what you did,” he told the defendants.

“I saw none of that. I saw you smiling, chuckling, looking at the pictures of my lifeless brother. You not only tore my family apart, but two other families as well — for what? Drugs, money and guns?”

Brian Contreras, who testified during the trial and was in the house on Inglewood Drive on the night of the shooting, said he will never forget the events of Oct. 22, 2012.

“It felt like a bad dream,” he said.

“What’s your reputation now? That you’re so gangster that you killed a half-blind guy while he was sleeping ... and then you left your homeboy lying on the front lawn?”

“I believe Adrian is up in heaven, smiling down, knowing the truth was out,” he said.

Adrian’s mother, Dawn, said her son was a loving man who cared deeply for his family.

“What made you think you could go and do what you did and kill another human being and not pay the consequences?” she asked the defendants.

“We are not the only family that’s hurt. All of our families are hurt right now, and I pray that you’ll find it in your hearts to find God. To ask for forgiveness. Because that’s what we need in this world, is more forgiveness and more loving people.”

Prior to receiving their sentences, both James and Hickerson addressed the court.

“I would like the Contreras family to know that I am truly and deeply sorry, and if there was anything in the world I could do to bring back Adrian Contreras, I would do it,” James, from Orion Township, said.

“I think about it every day.”

James also apologized to his family and told them he loves them.

Hickerson, a Pontiac resident, provided a lengthy statement and was very emotional while speaking.

“I don’t want to sit here and tell you to make pity on me because, just like (the Contreras family) said, I don’t deserve to see the light of day again,” he said.

“The only reason I don’t say I deserve to die is I would be in paradise, and I don’t deserve that. I deserve to be tortured for the rest of my life. I just ask the court and the family, please forgive me for what I did.”